Mission

Our mission is to conduct research to improve knowledge about the causes of cancer, and its impact on the lives of those affected, in order to reduce cancer occurrence and suffering and to improve survival.

Overview

The Cancer Epidemiology Research Cooperative (CERC) is an epidemiologic research unit located within the Program in Epidemiology in the Division of Public Health Sciences at the Fred Hutch. Our group includes epidemiologists, scientific and administrative support staff, statisticians, IT, interviewers, and data technicians. Our studies focus on the causes of cancer, cancer prevention, factors associated with cancer survival, and the effects of cancer on the quality of life. Current and past studies include: investigations of breast, endometrial, ovarian, brain and testicular cancers; the relationships of cancer with various reproductive, lifestyle, and environmental factors; cancers such as cervical, anal, vulvar, and oral; and viruses such as HPV. We also conduct studies to improve and develop new epidemiology research methods. Most CERC faculty hold appointments in the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, and are active in teaching and mentoring graduate students.

History

CERC was founded by Drs. Noel Weiss and Janet Daling in 1978 when they brought together a shared staff to work on projects targeting cancer and reproductive health in women and testicular cancer in men. Early work by the group (known as the "Weiss-Daling Studies" until 2003) included landmark studies on breast cancer, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, testicular cancer, hematopoietic cancers, and on the relationships of viruses (such as HPV) and hormones with cancer.